Bed



Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

PATENT QFFCF.

Aupairs er sourir mmm..

BED.

Application filed. May 121, 1823. Serial No. 640,319.

vTo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ANnns HEGEDS, a citizen of Hungary, residing at Selby, in the county of Walworth and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Beds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to beds, having more particular reference .to a means for raising the mattress supporting element, whereby the head of the occupant may be more or less raised as may be desired.

The invention has for an object the provision of an improved and novel means .for this purpose, which can be readily manipulated, and which will be of yneat appearance and compact construction.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and vaccompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a side view of a bed having the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an end view.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail longitudinal section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 and showing the locking element.

Fig. 5 is a detail axial sectional view showing part of the operating shaft and illustrating the means for shifting the locking ratchet.

The frame of the bed may comprise the usual side bars such as and end bars such as 11 which are rigidly fixed to the head and foot posts 12 and 13. The foot posts 13 are of ordinary construction, while the head posts are provided with gear sectors 14 extending up one side thereof. The spring carrying frame of the bed is shown at 16 and is of ordinary rect-angular form and is pivoted as at 17 at the foot of the bed to the side frame bars 10, the gear sectors 14 being curved concentric to the pivot axis of the frame 16. Fixed to the transverse headpiece 16 of this frame are two brackets 20 one near each side of the frame, these brackets projecting longitudinally beyond the bed frame and carrying a transverse shaft 21 on which are fixed a pair of gear pinions 22 meshing with the gear sectors 14. Fixed to one end of the shaft 21 is a crank handle for purposes of rotation. As will be ap parant, when the shaft 21 is rotated the frame 16 is swung up or down at its head.

To lock Vthe frame 16 in the selected posi- 60 tion l have provided a novel device which comprises a ratchet wheel or barrel of peculiar formation mounted on the shaft 21 and engaged by a pawl 24 pivoted to one of the brackets and resting by gravity on the ratchet wheel. This ratchet barrel comprises two end elements of generally cylindrical outline united by an intermediate conical portion. One of these end elements 25 is of relatively small diameter, while the 7,0 other 26 is larger and has ordinary ratchet teeth formed in its periphery. rFliese teeth are continued along the central conical portion 27 in gradually diminished depth unt-il they merge into the end portion lt will be apparent then that when the ratchet barrel is moved along the shaft 21 the pawl 24 will ride between the toothed portion 26 and the smooth portion 25 to effect locking engagement with the shaft or to release the latter.

The ratchet barrel is adapted to be moved along the shaft 21 by means of a rod 30 entering longitudinally from one end of the shaft into an axial boring 31 in the latter, this rod having lateral projections 32 on its inner end which pass through slots 38 in the wall of the shaft and are fixed to the ratchet barrel. A coiled expansion spring 34 is located in the boring 31 behind the rod 30 and serves to normally hold the locking element in operative position by pressing the ratchet barrel against the adjacent bracket 20. The outer end of the rod 30 may have swiveled thereon a head 37 to which is fixed a lug 38 adapted to interlock, by a slight turn of the head on the rod, with a lug 39 fixed to the handle 23, and so hold the ratchet barrel in inoperative position while the handle is being turned. I preferably enclose the gears 22 and the ratchet barrel in suitable housings such as 42 which are fixed to the headpiece 16 of the frame 16. these housings being indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed, and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming Within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is as foliovvs:

l. In combination, a main bed frame, an auxiliary frame, pivoted at one end to said main frame, and means for adjusting the opposite end of said auxiliary frame vertically, said means comprising gear sectors fixed to the main frame, a transverse shaft carried by the auxiliary frame, and gears on said transverse shaft engaging said fixed gear sectors, and ratchet and paWl means for locking said shaft, said ratchet and pavvl means comprising a pavvl mounted upon said auxiliary frame, and a ratchet barrel slidable along said shaft and adapted to effect operative engagement and disengagement With said pavvl by sliding movement along said shaft.

2. In combination, a main bed frame, an auxiliary frame, pivoted at one end to said main frame, and means for adjusting the opposite end of said auxiliary frame vertically, said means comprising gear sectors fixed to the main frame, a transverse shaft carried by the auxiliary frame, and gears on said transverse shaft engaging said fixed gear sectors, and ratchet and patvl means for locking said shaft, said ratchet and paWl means comprising a pa-Wl mounted upon said auxiliary frame, and a ratchet barrel slidable along said shaft and adapted to effect operative engagement and disengagement With said paWl by sliding movement along said shaft, a rod extending axially through a boring in said shaft for moving said ratchet barrel to disengaged position, and a spring bearing on said rod to hold the ratchet barrel in engaged position` 3. In a device of the class described, a rotary shaft, and locking means for said shaft comprising a 'pa-Wl, a ratchet barrel slidable and non-rotatable on said shaft, and adapted to eect operative engagement with said pavvl by sliding movement along said shaft, and a rod extending axially through the shaft for shifting said ratchet barrel, said ratchet barrel comprising large and small end elements united by a tapering central portion, and ratchet teeth on the large end element, said teeth being extended along the tapering portion in gradually diminished depth.

In testimony whereof I havealiixed my signature. l

ANDRAS HEGEDUS. 

